New Delhi: Government recognition finally came Devendra Jhajharia’s way as he Thursday became the first Paralympian to be recommended for India’s highest sporting honour – the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna – along with celebrated hockey player Sardar Singh.
The 36-year-old javelin thrower Jhajharia, the first Indian to win two Paralympic gold medals (Athens 2004 and Rio 2016), was the first choice of the selection committee, headed by Justice (Retd) CK Thakkar.
The committee has also picked 31-year-old midfielder Sardar as its second nominee for the top honour and has suggested that both Jhajharia and Sardar be considered for the award.
“I should have got this award 12 years ago when I won gold at the Athens. I don’t know why I did not get it then but I want to thank the ministry for finally acknowledging the hard work now,” Jhajharia told this agency.
“It’s been a long journey. When you get an award it means that government is recognising your hard work and achievements. I feel proud and now there will be more responsibility.
“It’s the first time I am celebrating with my family. Every time, I‘ve had success it has been abroad and away from my family. I am at home only when I got the news. It couldn’t have been better,” added Jhajharia, who will next compete at the 2018 Asian Games.
Whether both Sardar and Jhajharia get the award or either of the two is picked, would be decided by the sports ministry in the next few days.
Besides, the awards selection committee recommended 17 names for the Arjuna award. The list includes men’s Test player Cheteshwar Pujara and women’s team World Cup star Harmanpreet Kaur, Paralympic medallists Mariyappan Thangavelu and Varun Bhati, golfer SSP Chawrasia, tennis player Saketh Myneni and hockey player SV Sunil.
Mariyappan had won the men’s high jump (F46) gold medal at the Rio Olympics. Bhati, on the other hand, had claimed a silver medal in the same event.
Khel Ratna recommendations: Devendra Jhajharia (Para-athlete) and Sardar Singh (Hockey).
Arjuna Awards recommendations: VJ Surekha (Archery), Khushbir Kaur and Arokia Rajiv (both Athletics), Prasanthi Singh (Basketball), L Devendro Singh (Boxing), Cheteshwar Pujara and Harmanpreet Kaur (Men’s and Women’s Cricket), Oinam Bembem Devi (Women’s football), SSP Chawrasia (Golf), SV Sunil (Hockey), Jasvir Singh (Kabaddi), PN Prakash (Shooting), A Amalraj (Table Tennis), Saketh Myneni (Tennis), Satyawart Kadian (Wrestling), Mariyappan Thangavelu and Varun Bhati ( both Para-Athlete).